Muffler



J. J. COMPO Nov. 3, 1931.

MUFFLER Filed Jar.. 22, 192s lpoooueoov gjm/vento@ Patented Nov. 3, 1931 PATENT OFFICE JOHN J'. COMPO, OF DEFIANCE, OHIO MUFFLER Application filed January 22, 1929. Serial No. 334,222.

- My invention has for its object to rovide an, efficient muler for internal com ustion engines wherein the ressure of the exhaust is gradually reduce and the speed of the movement of the products of combustions through the muiiler is diminished as it passes through the muliier with the result that the explosive action of the delivery of the exhausted materials from the engine is quite entirely dissipated. The invention also provides an automatic by-pass for opening a direct connection of the exhaust pipe of the engine to the atmosphere when the pressure within the mutlier reaches a predetermined amount, that is, when the quantity of gas directed into the muler in a given time exceeds a certain amount, as when an automobile is driven at a speed exceeding a definite rate. f

The invention may be contained in muiers that yvary in their details of construction and, to illustrate a practical application of the invention, I have selected a muler containing the invention as an example of the various 2,5 yforms of muiilers embodying my invention,

and shall describe it hereinafter. The particular muliier selected is shown inthe accompanying drawings.

` Fig. 1 illustrates a erspective view .of a longitudinal section of the muler. Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view ofthe hollow core of the muiiler. Fig. 3 illustrates a view of a section taken on the plane ofthe line -3--3 indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view of a section taken on the plane of the line 4-4 indicated in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a view of a ysection taken on the plane of the line 5-5 indicated yin Fig. 4.

' In the form of construction shown in the 40 figures, the muiller is provided with a core 1 that 4is formed of a cylindrical part 2 and a conical part B'that are joined together at the smallerv end of the conical art. The core forms a chamber that is, pre erabl in alignment with the outlet of the muiiler and ordinarily in alignment with the exhaust pipe -of the engine. The core is provided with two sets of openings 4 and 5 andy a plate or disc 6 is located at a int kwithin the length of the 'core interme 'ate the parts of the corek that have the perforations 4 and 5. Preferably, the plate 6 extends across the cone near its larger end in order to afford a lar e area for supporting an automatic valve or establishing a direct connection between the exhaust pipe of the engine with the exterior atmosphere. The plate 6, being located intermediate the perforatioiis 4 and 5, operates to force the products of combustion to pass through, first, the perforations 4 to the exterior of the core, and then enter through the perforatioiis 5 to the interior of the core.

In order to produce gradual dissipation of the pressure produced by the explosion, the cylindrical part 2 of the core 1 first receives the exhaust products. The perforations 4 are located iiear the forward end of the muiler and a large portion of the exhaust gas, by its inertia and under impulse of the movement induced by its pressure in the exhaust pipe,

passes the perforatioiis 4 immediately upon entering the core and then as it loses its momentum, it passes out through the openings 4. The rush of the discharge from the engine carries the materials into the cone 3 where they are'permitted to expand by reason of the cone shape. Thus, the plate 6 is located near the rear end of the muiiier to give ample opportunity for the expansion of the gases after they enter the muffler.

The exhaust gas enters the chamber 10 located exterior to the core 1. The chamber 10 is formed by the shell 11 that surrounds the core. The products of combustion emerge through the openings 4, as the pressure Within the interior of the core decreases. The gas then passes through the openings 5 into the interior of the core and at the other end of the chamber 10. The gases ar thus caused to flow at substantially a constant rate and With a uniform pressure differential from the mufler due to equalization of the pressure of the gas as it .enters and passes through the muiiler.

In order to further bring about equalization of pressures, a perforated kdisc l2 may be located on the core at the points of juncture between the cylindrical part 2 and the conical part 3 of the c'ore. Thus, the gas that enters the chamber 10 is required to pass through the perforations 13 formed in the disc 1:2. In the movement of the gases through the chamber l0, the pressure is not only dissipated by the conical part 3, upon its entrance and by the gradual liberation through thel openings 4 of the cylindrical part 2 of the core, the perforations 13 of the disc 12, and the openings 5 in the rear end of the core, but also by reason of the openings 5 being located at the larger end of the conical part 3 which gradually tapers the chamber 10 at its outlet end. The outward ow of the gas is, therefore, substantially uniform.

For convenience of manufacture which greatly reduces the cost of production, the cere l is pr vided with an end disc l5. 'Ihe discs l2 and l5 are formed to have a diameter substantially the same as that of the larger diameter ot the edge 1G of the conical part 3 and the shell ll tightly tits the discs 12 and l5 and the edge 16 of the conical part 3. Thus the parts may be readily connected to the core and `the core may be forced into place in the shell ll. rIhe shell ll is, preferably, closed by end plates 17 having anged central openings 18 whose centers are in the axis of the core. The flanges 19 provide means for connecting the muller with the exhaust pipe and the muii'ler outlet pipe.

In order to provide for the direct iiow of the products oip4 combustion through the nufj'ler, when the speed of the engine exceeds a redetermined amount as when, in case of n automobile, the automobile is driven above predetermined rate of speed, as may be done on count-ry roads, and to reduce the back pressure which would otherwise occur, when the engine is running` at a high speed, I have provided an automatic valve which is located in the plate G whereby the interior of the core and, consequently, the exhaust pipe of the engine will be connected directly to the outlet of the mutiler. This forms an autoiatic by-pass of the muiiler which is operative under gas pressures within the cores to open the direct connection ot the exhaust pipe of the engine with the atmosphere. Thus the automatic valve will provide for any nach lire which outherwise causes damage to the inetller. In many instances baclr firing causes bursting of the muiller or blowing the muiiler oit. The valve will act as safety valve and allow the escape of gases that explode in the exhaust pipe or in the inuiiler.

A weighted block is pivotally supported in an opening 2G, formed in the plate 6, by means oi a pin 2l having an axis that is located substantially in the plane of the plate 6 and supported in position by the bearing members Q2 that are secured on opposite sides or" the plate and in position to support the pin substantially within the plane of the plate 6. lIhe block has considerable thickness so that when it is turned about the axis et the pin 2l, short angular distances, by

the upper part.

linearer)i pressure below t-he predetermined desired opening pressure, it will, nevertheless, maintain the opening closed and will not establish the direct connection of the exhaust pipe of the engine with the exterior atmosphere until the pressure reaches such amount as to overcome the resistance to the opening movement produced by the weight of the block. In order to thus maintain the opening closed, the parts of the valve member 23, located above and below the axis of the pin 2l, are, preferably, formed V-shaped or segmental shape in the plane at right angles to the axis of the pin 2l, the arcs of the segments that are thus provided being that of the same number of degrees and so that they will operate to pass the upper and lower edges of the opening :2O in the plate 6 at the same time. Since it is desired to locate `the center of gravity of the valve member 23 below the axis of the pin 21, the lower part of the valve member 23 is made larger than Preferably, the pin 2l is located near the upper edge of the opening 2l in order to increase the difference in pressure that will be exerted on the upper and lower parts of the valve member Q8 and make the valve member more sensitive to the changes ot pressure within the core l and also provide 'for the increase of the weight et the valve member in order to increase its inertia and prevent quick changes in its position, or vibration of the valve member, due to variation of the gases in the pressure.

The invention thus ail'ord's a simple and eilicient means for eliminating the explosive sound produced by the exhaust which is particularly undesirable in towns and cities and yet provide some reduction of the back pressure when the speed of the car is that which is permissible in the rural districts or open country. The invention provides the advantages of such a construction that may be made at a low cost of production and cheaply furnished to car manufacturers.

I claim:

1. In an engine mulder, a hollow perforated core, a plate located between perforated parts of the core, and extending across the core, the plate having an opening, a valve member located in the opening, means for supporting the valve member for free angular movement-s within the opening and unlimited by the edges of the opening and means for .maintaining the valve mmber in position to close the opening until the pressure within the core reaches a predetermined value, a shell fitting the ends of the core and forming a passage-way in the muler exterior to the core for the products of combustion 2. In an engine muiller, a hollow core' having a perforated cylindrical part and a perforated conical part joined together in axial alignment with each other at'the small end of the conical part, a perforated disc located at the juncture of the said parts, a shell fitting,the periphery of the d1sc and the outer edge of the conical art, a plate located between the perforated parts of the core and extending across the conical part, the plate having an opening, a valve member located in the opening, means for supporting the valve member for free angular movements within the opening and unlimited by the edges of the opening, and the valve member having a weighted part for maintaining the valve member in position to close the opening until the pressure within the core reaches a predetermined value, and means for conducting gases to and from the muffler.

3. In an engine muiller, a hollow core having a perforated conical part and a perforated cylindrical part, a plate located between the perforated parts of the core and extending across the core, a perforated disc located intermediate the erforated parts of the core, a shell fitting t e periphery of the disc, the shell having end plates, the end plates having openings for the passage of gases to and from the mufiler.

4. In an engine muffler, a hollow perforated core, a plate located between perforated parts of the core and extending across the core, the plate having an opening, a weighted valve member pivotally supported in the opening, the axis of the pivotal support extending across the opening at a point below the up er edge of the opening, the major part o the weight of the valve member being located below the pivotal support and operating to maintain the opening closed until the pressure within the core reaches a predetermined value, the valve member located within the edges of the opening and freely movable within the opening, a shell fitting the ends of the core and forming a passage-way in the muffler for products of combustion exterior to the core.

5. In an engine muffler, a hollow perforated core, a plate located between perforated parts of the core and extendin across the core, the plate having an openlng, a valve member supported in the o ning for pivotal movements about an axls near one edge of the opening, means for supporting the valve member for free angular movements within the opening, the valve member unlimited in its movements by the edges of the opening, the valve member having a part sectoral in shape in the plane at right angles to the said axis to maintain the opening closed until the pressure within the core reaches a predetermined value, a shell fitting the ends of the core and forming a passa eway exterior to the core in the mullier or products of combustion.

6. In an engine muier, a hollow core having a perforated cylindrical part and a per- 05 forated conical part joined together in axial alignment at the smaller end of the conical part, a rforated disc located at the juncture of thee said parts, a shell fitting the peripher7 of the disc and the outer edge of the conica part, a plate located between the perforated parts of the core and extending across the conical part near the larger end thereof, the plate having an opening, a weighted valve member pivotally supported in the opening, the valve member formed to have two sectoral ortions extending in opposite directions rom the pivotal support, the axis of the pivotal support located intermediate the upper and lower edges of the openin said valve member operating to maintain the opening closed until the pressure within the core reaches a predetermined value, and means for conducting gases to and from the ends of the shell and core.

7. In an engine muiier, a hollow perforated core comprising a conical part and a cylindrical part joined together in axial alignment at the smaller end of the conical part, a perforated disc tting the exterior of the core at a point between the perforated parts of the core and having a diameter the same as that of the larger end of the conical part of the core, a cylindrical shell fitting the exterior of the said disc and the edge of the said larger end of the conical part of the core.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name to this specification.

JOHN J. COMPO. 

